On the heels of Apple's big smartwatch reveal Monday, rival Google is reportedly planning a major update to wearable devices running on Android Wear.
According to The Verge, which cites an unnamed source, Google is planning an update that will enable Wi-Fi support, which means notifications will continue to work even if the watch doesn't have a connection to the user's smartphone.
Another interesting addition: gesture control. Instead of swiping the screen to check out notifications, users can flick their wrist, says the report. It's not clear when the update would be available to Android Wear device owners.
The report arrives the day after Apple shared key details about the Apple Watch, including the April 24 launch date and range of prices -- from $349 to as high as $17,000 to the limited Apple Watch Edition.
Apple Watch is the latest to joining the growing smartwatch market, along with giants like Samsung and Google and startups such as Pebble, which shattered a Kickstarter campaign record with the announcement of its newest smartwatch, Pebble Time.
However, excitement for smartwatches hasn't been as high as expected, says Cathy Boyle, senior mobile analyst for eMarketer. Apple's new device could change that. "Apple Watch is best positioned to be that product, given the device's close association with the iPhone and the size of the iPhone user base."
Source: usatoday.com
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